2016 ACL: Adriano-Dejan-Park Chuyoung! (Quarter-Finals, 1st Leg)

FC Seoul were absolutely dominant in the first leg of their 2016 Asian Champions League quarter-final with Chinese club Shandong Luneng. Club legend Dejan Damjanovic, top scorer Adriano and our favorite controversial striker Park Chuyoung all got on the scoresheet in a 3-1 victory at Sangam Stadium.

It was a football masterpiece of sorts, a match worth waking up at 6:30am for. FC Seoul ran Shandong ragged in a near flawless first leg in front of 16,044 onlookers.

FC Seoul, as predicted, lined up in the 4-4-2 shape we have been accustomed to see since Hwang Sunhong took the reins. Park Chuyoung and Dejan were the strike force, with Asian Champions League-leading goal scorer Adriano on the bench. It was uncertain how Felix Magath would line up his Shandong side, but at kickoff it was evident that they too were going 4-4-2, with Graziano Pelle and Walter Montillo – the Italian and Argentinian international forwards – starting up top.

The first 20 minutes were a fairly dull affair, with the two Shandong forwards just pressing the centrebacks in possession. I’m not honestly sure what the tactic was – the idea maybe being that there would be an errant pass and Shandong could counter quickly? In truth, this seemed a largely ineffective idea to me… Osmar and Kwak Taehwi are seasoned veterans, and the former is an adept defensive midfielder, deep lying playmaker or even box-to-box… and Kwak Taehwi isn’t one to choke under pressure, and certainly wasn’t intimidated pre-match or during the match by Pelle.

Shandong seemed to only have two possibly effective ways of beating FC Seoul – longballs to Pelle, and over-running the Seoul rightback (Lee Kyuro in the first half, Ko Yohan in the second). The first strategy did not work whatsoever. Kwak Taehwi was simply exceptional, putting in one of those quietly effective performances that all defenders should aspire to. If Pelle ever did win a header, it was either a shot gone so awry it didn’t even make it into the highlight package or landing in simply ineffective locations. The second strategy was more effective given the relative weakness of Lee and Ko, but it never amounted to much except an 8th minute effort that Yoo Sanghyun saw wide anyways.

Shandong also was very content to let FC Seoul dictate the tempo of play (apart from their half-hearted two-man press), and this, for the entire game’s duration. They were fancying their chances, visibly, from a quick counter-attack or pressing wide players and choking them out of a passing option. In other words, Shandong let Seoul take the game to them.

Seoul delivered. In the 16th minute, the Dejan-Park Chuyoung partnership’s deadly capacities were revealed. Dejan broke two banks of four & split the centrebacks with a perfect pass to meet Park’s run – but the former Arsenal player volleyed wide, missing an absolute sitter. It took less than 100 seconds, however, for the strikeforce to create another chance – Park’s picturesque cross headed home easily by an on-form Dejan – now with 7 goals in 6 games.

31st minute: Park Chuyoung scores this time. Osmar intercepted a bad Shandong pass, the Spanish centreback working with Dejan, getting the ball to speedy wide midfielder Cho Chanho – another player neglected by Choi Yongsoo, heralded by Hwang Sunhong. Cho seems to also be a good passer – Park Chuyoung made an outside run and scored first time with his right foot, sending the ball through Chinese national team keeper Wang Dalei’s legs.

Cause for concern a few minutes later – botched clearance from a corner kick by FC Seoul means Walter Montillo has the ball just outside the penalty box – he’s brought down by Osmar. Ensuing free kick from a very good position and it’s a sweet finish. 2-1 now, but a vital away goal for Shandong.

Apart from that chance, however, Shandong never really looked like getting another. Seoul had sustained spells of posession in threatening positions – even summer loanee from Seoul E-Land, Lee Kyuro, almost got in on the act – tumbling over Wang Dalei’s diving challenge and almost bringing the ball in the net as he did a somersault in the air…

Adriano was subbed on around the 60th minute, sending Park Chuyoung to the wide midfield position, and at last we got to see the A-De-Park trio play together (as they have been named in Korean media). Did they ever deliver! Park hit a forceful pass to Dejan, who dragged a defender out of position before sublimely nutmegging him with a backheel… Adriano read the play perfectly, broke the poorly executed offside trap and slotted home for his 12th ACL goal. 3-1 Seoul.

With 20 minutes left to play, it was possible that Seoul could find a fourth goal. They were dictating the tempo and flow of the game. Park Chuyoung had a free kick chance in the 82nd minute that Wang Dalei made a mess of, but that was pretty much it for clear-cut opportunities.

Video Highlights

Final Thoughts
Both South Korean teams leave the first legs of the quarter-finals relatively satisfied, though one’s progression seems more likely than the other’s.

Seoul played an excellent home game, and their only blemish was conceding that away goal. It makes the second leg far more interesting and will keep them alert. That being said, Felix Magath didn’t really seem to have much of an idea on how to stop Seoul today – there was too much space in between the lines, the centrebacks didn’t have much of a clue. Seoul’s passing play with endless amounts of triangles out wide would bring Shandong midfielders out of the compact shape they should have endeavored to keep, opening up the opportunity for a dangerous throughball from deep. Hwang Sunhong’s famed and much beloved “Steel-taka” philosophy is visibly bearing fruit in Seoul too. And with a very assured centreback duo in Kwak Taehwi and captain Osmar… it’s hard to see how a two-goal lead could be squandered.

Pelle was a virtual spectator today. It wasn’t 10 men + Pelle doing the heavy lifting, but simply 11 men who didn’t have much of a clue. Magath’s got some thinking to do if he wants to unravel Seoul in Jinan and salvage some pride out of a woeful year for the Chinese club.

Speaking of Pelle… Twitter was having some fun after the superb victory:

Jeonbuk, on the other hand, aren’t in the driving seat – despite coming back home to the Jeonju Castle, where they’ve only lost one game all season (to Bucheon in the KFA Cup), Sven Goran Eriksson is ready to unleash the Hulk in the second leg where an away goal puts the Chinese club in a strong position.

What’s for sure, is that the 2nd legs in three week’s time (September 13th and 14th) are going to be ones to watch. If both Korean teams triumph, it will be a guarantee that East Asia will send a K League club to battle it out in November for Asian glory – and a ticket to the 2016 Club World Cup this December.

Park Chuyoung officially won the Man of the Match award today (though everyone knows Dejan deserved it more). He’s back to his old self of late – the only Korean forward making intelligent runs, able to play deeper and create, and all with an eye for goal. He’s 32 years old, but you have to wonder, if this form continues, how much longer Uli Stielike will be able to ignore the veteran of 3 World Cups.

Midweek Action
Two Korean Players Abroad were involved in the EFL Cup this week – it’s the Capital One Cup, but without the sponsor. Lee Chungyong started on the bench (good news, as perhaps it indicates that he’s first team calibre – for now) and was subbed on for a 20 minute stint. Crystal Palace beat Blackpool 2-0 and advance to the third round. Ki Sungyueng actually started the match, his first start of the 2016/17 season. Ki started in Sigurdsson’s #10 role, for this game at least, and Swansea won 3-1 at Peterborough.

We’ll have weekend listings tomorrow… for now, this poll:

If Park Chuyoung's form continues, should he be called up to the national team? Why or why not?#FCSeoul#KNT#WCQ

For the time being, I’d say the chances are minimal. Stielike hasn’t mentioned Park CY or anything, so it’s purely speculation on my part. If Park continues in current form, there’s no reason why he wouldn’t beat out a Hwang Uijo/Hwang Heechan for a starting spot.

PJY is the best striker in Korea right now and he absolutely deserves a callup
Therefore, by Stielike logic, he will not be called up anytime soon.
Though I do hope that Hwang HC can develop like PJY… but there’s a huge gap in footballing IQ there unfortunately. Not to mention finishing and shot power

4 words: 2014 FIFA World Cup
He has a good game in the Asian Champions League, and suddenly he’s our savior?
Who cares if he is a China/Japan killer? Is our dream to be the best in Asia, or globally competitive?
I’m just not sure it’s the right move to fall back on a veteran now… that works if the veteran is consistently reliable. Sorry, but Park Chu Young is no Cristiano Ronaldo. He’s not even close to having the leadership qualities of a Park Ji Sung. In my mind, right now he’s a Lee Dong Gook.
Why not map out young talent? Last I checked, we did just fine in a strictly Asian contest doing just that (Asian Cup).
I’m not a hater, I just really don’t get the logic.

I guess the point is that we don’t exactly have a wealth of options at forward. Lee Junghyub is being dropped by Ulsan, Hwang Uijo truly can’t score goals. For now, Suk Hyunjun seems to be a staple. Which could potentially leave a Park Chuyoung v Hwang Heechan battle. Two fairly different players.

I suppose the point I’m indirectly making is that given Park’s experience, if he continues with this form, it will become difficult for Uli to justify leaving him out. He should at least be in consideration.

A whole wealth of 2014 players had poor World Cups. Lee Yong still gets a call, Jung Sungryong still gets a call… And there’s justifiable reasons for their inclusions — they’re playing well again. Park shouldn’t be subjected to a higher standard. He should be in the picture.

As for young talent, Hwang Heechan is certainly one of those. Wing-forward / false-9 players like him don’t come by too often. Uli’s right to call him up certainly. But with Suk dropping out of side, it would have made sense for PCY to return as the second forward.

Edit: Also, it’s hardly “one” good game. He’s been putting in some great performances of late. That said, your scepticism is totally understandable. PCY unfortunately seems to fall in that inconsistent category.

Oh Jonny boy! There are many before this Shandong beatdown that were calling for him to return to the KNT. He is consistently playing well right now.

Who cares if he is the China/Japan killer? We have a game against China on Sept 1st so of course it matters… we aren’t currently the best in Asia, but if we were, wouldn’t it go hand in hand with better performances globally? Any improvement continental/global is welcome. The young strikers can improve at club level/u-23 competitions.. and Hwang HC is not a goal scorer.. As much as i like him, he doesn’t have the shot power/football IQ/ or finishing of Park CY.

Hwang has raw talent but is an unknown gamble… Park CY is an experienced veteran.
And yes, he is a consistently reliable veteran compared to any other striker we’ve had in the last 10-15 years.

I think if PCY continues to play well and start for Seoul, he deserves a place on the national team. This guy was captain and scored hat-tricks when he was starting for his club team Monaco. He is clearly the most talented striker and the intelligent runs this season. I’m convinced. But he will most likely not be called up because Stielike doesn’t like K-League as much as he pretends and also doesn’t want controversy. But he deserves a spot over some of the current KNT players based on form and performance.

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P

1

Gyeongnam

9

2

Gangwon

9

3

Pohang Steelers

7

4

Jeonbuk Motors

6

5

Suwon Bluewings

4

6

Incheon United

4

7

Jeju United

4

8

Jeonnam Dragons

3

9

Sangju Sangmu

3

10

Seoul

1

11

Daegu

1

12

Ulsan

0

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March 18, 2018

Suwon Bluewings

1 - 1

Pohang Steelers

Ulsan

0 - 1

Jeju United

Jeonbuk Motors

2 - 1

Seoul

March 17, 2018

Jeonnam Dragons

1 - 3

Gyeongnam

Gangwon

2 - 1

Sangju Sangmu

Incheon United

0 - 0

Daegu

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Manchester City

81

2

Manchester United

65

3

Liverpool

63

4

Tottenham Hotspur

61

5

Chelsea

56

6

Arsenal

48

7

Burnley

43

8

Leicester City

40

9

Everton

40

10

AFC Bournemouth

36

11

Watford

36

12

Brighton & Hov…

34

13

Newcastle United

32

14

Swansea City

31

15

Huddersfield Town

31

16

Crystal Palace

30

17

West Ham United

30

18

Southampton

28

19

Stoke City

27

20

West Bromwich Albion

20

Hwang Heechan

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1

Red Bull Salzburg

62

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Bayern München

66

2

Schalke 04

49

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Borussia Dortmund

48

4

Eintracht Frankfurt

45

5

Bayer 04 Leverkusen

44

6

RB Leipzig

43

7

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim

39

8

Stuttgart

37

9

Borussia Mönchengladbach

36

10

Augsburg 1907

35

11

Hertha BSC

35

12

Werder Bremen

33

13

Hannover 96

32

14

SC Freiburg

30

15

Wolfsburg

25

16

1. FSV Mainz 05

25

17

1. FC Köln

20

18

Hamburger SV

18

Kwon Changhoon

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10

Dijon

38

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